Frame support



Dec. 27, 1932. J. A. WERNSTEN FRAME SUPPORT Filed Jan. 12, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet IVENTOR JOHN A. WEE/V575.

ATTORNEY J. A. WERNSTEN Deg. 27, I932.

FRAME SUPPORT Filed Jan. 12. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet IN VENT OR JOHN A. WEE/ STEM A TTORNEY Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE JOHN A. WERNS'IEN, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGN OR TO THE CINCINNATI CAR COR PORATION, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO FRAME SUPPORT Application filed January 12, 1931. Serial No. 508,072.

My invention relates to vehicles and, in particular, to a vehicle such as a bus.

It is an object of my invention to provide in connection with a bus, such as atrackless trolley employing pneumatic tires, means for supporting one end of the frame in the event one or more of the tires become deflated to prevent the frame work, door frames, steps, or other portions of the vehicle engaging with the highway and becoming injured due to the sudden drop of the vehicle due to the deflating of one or more of the tires.

In particular, it is my object to provide a bracket beneath the end of the frame sufficiently high to clear the roadway and any obstructions thereon but depending sufficiently to engage the ground before the frame work, step, or any associated parts, such as the corner post, can reach the ground.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the vehicle;

Figure 2 is a detail of the side elevation of the end bracket;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation thereof;

Figure 4: is a top plan View thereof; and

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the vehicle.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates a side frame member, of which there is a pair joined together by typical cross frame members 2. The side frame members carry the wheels 3 that are used for steering through conventional semielliptic springs 4 on side frame brackets 5. Brackets 6 mounted on the side frame members support the rear ends of the step 7. The front ends of the steps are supported on the brackets 8, the out-er ends of which are connected to the corner post structure 9, which, in turn, is attached to the end frame 10.

Beneath the forward ends of the frame members 1 are the transverse frame members 11.

Coupler mechanism is mounted at 12 on the end of the vehicle hanging down below the side frame member 1.

Mounted on the under side of the side frame members 1 at the outer end of those frame members are the brackets of my invention. This bracket consists of a generally U-shaped depending bracket member supported on spaced parallel reinforcing triangular-shaped corner plates. The bracket itseif is designated 13 and the corner plates are designated 14. This depending frame member, known as a nose skid, at its forward end extends downwardly in the section 15 at an angle of about 45 degrees to a point adjacent the ground but does not touch it; and then proceeds at a lesser angle in the ground approaching section 16 to the point 17 which engages the ground, and thence proceeds up= wardly at a shorter angle to the section 18. This nose skid may be formed in any manner, but I prefer to form it from a U-shaped plate, the walls of which are parallel to one another and are joined together at their ends by the triangular-shaped plates 14 which are provided by side walls 14a and a top wall 146, which top wall is used for attachment to the base of the side frame 1. The corner frames and the nose skid are connected together by suitable rivets 19. The skid itself may be provided with apertures 20 to lighten its Weight.

In operation, in the event that the wheel 3 should suddenly be punctured and become deflated, that side of the vehicle will tilt over and descend towards the ground but it will be stopped in its descent by the nose skid, which prevents the body corner posts, cross frame members and other parts of the structure engaging the ground suddenly and in juring it. It also provides sufficient space between the axle for the application of jacks for elevating that side of the vehicle for the,

replacement of the tire. No injury can be done to the step because it likewise is supported off the ground by the nose skid.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invent-ion such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, a side frame member, a depending U-shaped skid member having side walls aligned with said side frame member, and U-shaped in section corner plates adapt- 3. A new article of manufacture for use as a nose sln'd comprising a plate U-shaped in section having spaced side walls and a bottom wall, U-shaped corner walls engaging the side plates at the ends thereof, said corner walls forming a flat upper attaching surface.

4. A new article of manufacture for use as a nose skid comprising a generally U-shaped in section structure, the forward sections of which extend towards the ground rearwardly and downwardly to a point spaced from the ground, acenter section extending from the end of the forward section to a point rearwardly to engage the ground, and the rear section extending abruptly upwardly to a point adjacent the frame to which the nose skid is to be attached by both its forward and rear sections.

5. A new article of manufacture for use as a nose skid comprising a generally U-shaped in section structure, the forward sections of which extend towards the ground rearwardly and downwardly to a point spaced from the ground, a center section extending from the end of the forward section, to a point rearwardly to engage the ground, and a rear section extending abruptly upwardly to a point adjacent the frame to which the nose skid is to be attached by both its forward and rear sections, and triangular-shaped corner plates adapted to engage the side walls of the forward and rear sections and present a flat top engaging surface.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

JOHN A. WVERNSTEN. 

